Blyth Tait helped to build New Zealand’s reputation as strong equestrian contenders on the international stage. © FEI/Liz Gregg
By Ellie Jolley
New Zealand eventer Blyth Tait has announced his retirement from international competition after representing his country at four Olympics.
The 58-year-old equestrian broke the news of his retirement on TVNZ’s Breakfast Show from the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show in Hastings this week.
In the interview Tait said, ‘The likelihood of me competing again overseas is unlikely. I’m very happy to hand over the reins to the younger ones coming through and I support them fully. There is a bright future and still some serious young talent out there.’
Tait had been considering putting his hat in the ring for this year’s Tokyo Olympics, but the turn-around decision came after an ‘unsatisfactory’ campaign in the lead up to Team Selection.
Tait leaves behind him a long list of accomplishments that helped to make the New Zealand Equestrian Team one of the strongest in the world.
He held the World No. 1 ranking position for an entire decade from 1992 and is one of only four New Zealanders to have won at least four Olympic medals.
He won individual bronze and team silver in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and an individual gold and team bronze in 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Tait plans to continue riding and competing in show jumping in New Zealand.
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